FOR this Nostalgia edition we wanted to take a look at a religious holiday taking place this month.

On August 15, the Christian feast day of the Assumption of Mary is celebrated with the belief that God assumed the Virgin Mary into Heaven following her death.

Mainly, it is celebrated in parts of Europe and South America. It is also called the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As evidenced by the writings of many early Church fathers, Christians have believed for more than a millennium that the Blessed Virgin was assumed into heaven.

In 1950, Pope Pius issued Munificentissimus Deus, which officially defined the Dogma of the Assumption.

This means that the Church officially recognizes this belief as a true and necessary part of our Catholic beliefs about Mary. Like all beliefs about Mary, they illuminate our most treasured beliefs about her Son.

The Assumption illustrates to us the truth about Christ’s promise of eternal life and the resurrection of the faithful.

The number of cities (large and small) that host processions or parades for the Feast of the Assumption is staggering.

The Virgin Mary is celebrated by Christians on every corner of each continent, some processions are small and quiet whilst others are large and boisterous.

Here in Cumbria many people recognise their Christian faith and go to church regularly, there are an abundance of churches in towns and villages across the county.

These photos show how people in the area have celebrated their faith over the years, we hope that these pictures bring back some fond memories for some of you.